Oh, beans, beans, they truly are the magical fruit.....but not for the reasons you're thinking! I love beans! They are so versatile, so nutritious, and so delicious! I'm positive you could put beans in just about anything.....I know some are cringing at the thought.
I've had some pretty amazing beany experiences! The people of Thailand have a scrumptious bean dessert...hmm....remind me to post that one. I've had beans in ice cream and shaved ice at Motsimotos. I've had beans pretty much every way you can have them....ya, I'm a fan.
My mom makes this "white chili" that is really good, but I sound like a rebel vegan if I call it "butter" bean soup. Truly these are
rebel beans! Butter beans are actually Lima beans only under a different name (they must be liberal beans to try that sort of trick). I'm sure they changed their name to get more fans. I'd much rather eat a bean called a butter bean than a Lima bean....wouldn't you? And while we're on names; Lima (pronounced ly-ma) is actually incorrect. They are actually named after Lima Peru (pronounced lee-ma) where they were first discovered by the Spanish sailors, (hmmm, who discovered it before them?) thus we should call them Lema beans........ya...lets stick with butter.
Butter Bean Soup
1 onion chopped
1 clove garlic chopped
1/4 inch thick fresh ginger
2 c vegetable broth
1 can white great northern beans
1 can butter beans
cilantro
1 tomato diced
Saute the chopped onion, garlic and ginger in olive oil in a large pot. Once the onions are transparent add the broth and all the beans. Simmer for 10 -15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and tomato.
Several years ago I lived just down the street from my fantastic sister-in-law. Those were good times! We were at their house on a regular basis (a little too regular they thought). We had adventures at the park, carved my brother-in-laws head on a pumpkin, and put up their Christmas tree for Halloween. I know he won't admit it but even my brother-in-law felt magic in the air.
I want to apologize to my sister-in-law in advance for her "honorable mention" on this blog but our adventures in the kitchen never fail to bring a smile to my face. If there were to be a cooking show like Tool Time, my sister would be Tim. I say that with all the love in my heart! I really look up to her in SO many things!
One evening we went to their home for dinner and I brought warm cous cous as a substitute for rice. The family, having tried some of my other concoctions and not being fans, took a little coaxing. After the first bite they loved it. My sister asked what it was. I told her it was cous cous and she gave me a confused look. I told her she could get it at any health food store.
To my surprise, the next day I got a call from my sister. She had gone to the health food store, I think for the first time. She had bought cous cous, cooked it up, and it was terrible - nothing like mine. I asked her what spices she put in it, "spices, what spices? You didn't say anything about spices." Which was true. This reminded me of the time when I was telling her how to make gravy. I said, " you start out by making a rue." To which she replied, " rue, isn't that Kangas baby? You're just making these words up right?"
I adore my sister-in-law, and in her defense I have recently heard that she makes scrumptious homemade rolls. I can't wait for her to teach me and for many more memory making moments in the kitchen...which will be posted soon. For now, Here comes the cous cous
Cous Cous Salad 
1-2 c cous cous
1 can black beans
1 can corn
cilantro
1 green chili
EVOO
lemon or lime juice
In your loyal rice cooker cook your cous cous in double the amount of water (2 water to 1 cous cous). Drain, wash, and drain your black beans. The beans need to be clean with no juice or they will turn your cous cous black. Drain your corn. Mix cous cous, beans, and corn in a bowl. In the food processor or blender, add your cilantro, green chili, EVOO, and lemon juice. Puree and place everything in the fridge. Let everything cool. Just before serving, drizzle the salad with the dressing. This is a great refreshing meal.
